Alternative medicine helps control gastric ulcer medication side effects

Lucky You

If you’re not infected with helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), consider yourself lucky.

Unfortunately, you might easily be infected and not even know it.

H. pylori is the bacterium that causes the majority of gastric ulcers. But most people with this infection don’t develop ulcers, so they’re never even aware of the potential danger that lurks in their gut.

An HSI member named Ed is not so lucky.

Ed writes: “I would really appreciate finding a natural solution to curing H. pylori ’cause the antibiotics my doctor has me on have a lot of bad side effects. I need an alternative cure but of course he’s trained in traditional medicine that just writes more Rx’s.”

Hang on, Ed! Complementary medicine just happens to have an Rx for those side effects.

Triple therapy…plus two

In the May 2007 issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology, researchers from the University of Pisa note that about 75 percent of gastric and peptic ulcers are successfully treated with a triple therapy that includes two antibiotics (amoxicillin and clarithromycin) and a proton pump inhibitor to reduce gastric acid. Unfortunately, this therapy also causes a variety of difficult gastric side effects.

The Pisa team devised a study to examine possible changes in ulcer eradication rates and side effects when two supplements – lactoferrin and probiotics – are added to conventional therapy.

STUDY PROFILE

• Researchers recruited 206 patients infected with H. pylori
• Subjects were divided into two groups: Group A received conventional triple therapy, and Group B received the same therapy plus the two supplements
• Over the eight-week intervention period, patients took the proton pump inhibitor before breakfast and dinner, lactoferrin and the two antibiotics after breakfast and dinner, and the probiotic one hour after breakfast and dinner
• Results showed that infection was eradicated in 73 of 101 patients in Group A, and in 93 of 105 patients in Group B
• Side effects (which included abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea) were significantly more pronounced in Group A

Pathogens surrender – resistance is futile

By now, most HSI members are aware that probiotics are your body’s beneficial bacteria that perform key functions, such as aiding digestion, supporting immune system function, eliminating toxins, and fighting harmful bacteria.

In the conclusion to the Pisa study, researchers attributed the improved eradication of H. pylori infection to lactoferrin, and the reduction of side effects to probiotic therapy. But the right type of probiotic just might provide a double benefit in treating infection while also reducing side effects.

In a 2001 HSI Members Alert, we told you about Probiotics 12 Plus, a formula designed to eliminate resistant pathogens. In fact, lab tests have shown that Probiotics 12 Plus contains a bacterial strain that inhibits all strains of H. pylori – even those that have become antibiotic resistant.

And long-time HSI members are also knowledgeable about lactoferrin, a protein found in bovine colostrums. In addition to being effective in controlling H. pylori, lactoferrin has been shown to bind iron. This keeps iron away from cancerous cells, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that require iron to grow. Lactoferrin is also believed to activate genes that launch immune response.

Lactoferrin is available through many sources online and in most health food stores. And Probiotics 12 Plus is available from Uni Key Health Systems. For more information, you can visit the web site at unikeyhealth.com. Talk to your doctor before using Probiotics 12 Plus or lactoferrin to address any form of gastric ulcer.

Patients with ulcers prompted by H. pylori infection will find plenty of useful information at the web site for the Helicobacter Foundation: helico.com.

Sources:
“Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Randomized Prospective Study of Triple Therapy Versus Triple Therapy Plus Lactoferrin and Probiotics” American Journal of Gastroenterology, Vol. 102, No. 5, May 2007, amjgastro.co